The ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is a peace park straddling the border between South Africa and Namibia. It was formed in 2003 by combining the NamibianǀAi-ǀAis Hot Springs Game Park and the South AfricanRichtersveld National Park. Most of the South African part of the park forms part of the buffer zone of the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape World Heritage Site, which measures 5,920 square kilometres (2,290 sq mi).[2] The Fish River Canyon is located in the park, the largest canyon in Africa.[2] A memorandum of understanding was signed on 17 August 2003 by the presidents of South Africa and Namibia, which formalised the establishment of the park.[2] |Ai-|Ais means ‘burning water’, after the hot springs of the same name.[3]
The Sendelingsdrift tourist facilities were opened in 2007 to enable tourists and locals to travel between Namibia and South Africa within the boundaries of the park. Immigration offices were set up on both sides of the Orange River.[2] It is also known for being a biodiversity hotspot, which means it is under constant threat from human encroachment.[2]
The Nama people can still be found in the region. Known for being nomadic pastoralists, their way of life is suited for the arid region. Herders and their livestock can be seen moving over long distances, as they try to anticipate the much needed yet sparse rainfall. The Nama language has also been preserved here by the Nama communities more than any other place in the Namaqualand region.[2]
Climateedit
The |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld has two major climatic systems. It has a temperate winter rainfall region that also contains high air humidity, contrasted by the high temperature with its summer rains yet low humidity further inland.[4] These contrasting climates have a transitional zone of about 20 kilometres (12 mi).[4]
Landscapeedit
The general area consists of rugged valleys and high mountains. The land is harsh, while water is generally scarce, the air is kept moist by early morning fog. The Nama locals call the fog that comes in from the Atlantic Ocean ‘Ihuries’ or ‘Malmokkies’.[5] The park is regarded as a unique mega-ecosystem in the world. In a one square kilometre area more than 360 different plant species can be found in a place that experiences an average rainfall of only 68 mm per year.[4] The vegetation in |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park consists of unique plant life, such as the giant quiver tree, ‘half-mens’ (Afrikaans: half human), and tall aloes.[5] The half-mens is typified by an unbranched, cylindrical stem, which can reach heights of up to 4m. The top has a tuft of branches. The local Nama community hold the half-mens tree in high regard, believing that the human-like figure it assumes is their ancestors longing for the Namibian home.[4]
Ministry of Environment and Tourism (Namibia) homepage
Christian Goltz (2010). ARTP National Park Visitor's Information Materials
Map of the park
April 10, 2024
ǀai, ǀais, richtersveld, transfrontier, park, peace, park, straddling, border, between, south, africa, namibia, formed, 2003, combining, namibian, ǀai, ǀais, springs, game, park, south, african, richtersveld, national, park, most, south, african, part, park, f. The ǀAi ǀAis Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is a peace park straddling the border between South Africa and Namibia It was formed in 2003 by combining the Namibian ǀAi ǀAis Hot Springs Game Park and the South African Richtersveld National Park Most of the South African part of the park forms part of the buffer zone of the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape World Heritage Site which measures 5 920 square kilometres 2 290 sq mi 2 The Fish River Canyon is located in the park the largest canyon in Africa 2 A memorandum of understanding was signed on 17 August 2003 by the presidents of South Africa and Namibia which formalised the establishment of the park 2 Ai Ais means burning water after the hot springs of the same name 3 ǀAi ǀAis Richtersveld Transfrontier ParkFish River CanyonLocation of the parkLocationǁKaras Region NamibiaNorthern Cape South AfricaNearest cityRosh Pinah NamibiaAlexander Bay South AfricaCoordinates28 03 14 S 17 02 05 E 28 05389 S 17 03472 E 28 05389 17 03472Area6 045 km2 2 334 sq mi 1 Established2003Named forǀAi ǀAis Hot SpringsRichtersveldGoverning bodyMinistry of Environment and Tourism Namibia South African National ParksOfficial websiteǀAi ǀAis Richtersveld Transfrontier Park South Africa This article contains click symbols from the Khoekhoe language Without proper rendering support you may see question marks boxes or other symbols The Sendelingsdrift tourist facilities were opened in 2007 to enable tourists and locals to travel between Namibia and South Africa within the boundaries of the park Immigration offices were set up on both sides of the Orange River 2 It is also known for being a biodiversity hotspot which means it is under constant threat from human encroachment 2 Contents 1 Nama people 2 Climate 3 Landscape 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksNama people editThe Nama people can still be found in the region Known for being nomadic pastoralists their way of life is suited for the arid region Herders and their livestock can be seen moving over long distances as they try to anticipate the much needed yet sparse rainfall The Nama language has also been preserved here by the Nama communities more than any other place in the Namaqualand region 2 Climate editThe Ai Ais Richtersveld has two major climatic systems It has a temperate winter rainfall region that also contains high air humidity contrasted by the high temperature with its summer rains yet low humidity further inland 4 These contrasting climates have a transitional zone of about 20 kilometres 12 mi 4 Landscape editThe general area consists of rugged valleys and high mountains The land is harsh while water is generally scarce the air is kept moist by early morning fog The Nama locals call the fog that comes in from the Atlantic Ocean Ihuries or Malmokkies 5 The park is regarded as a unique mega ecosystem in the world In a one square kilometre area more than 360 different plant species can be found in a place that experiences an average rainfall of only 68 mm per year 4 The vegetation in Ai Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park consists of unique plant life such as the giant quiver tree half mens Afrikaans half human and tall aloes 5 The half mens is typified by an unbranched cylindrical stem which can reach heights of up to 4m The top has a tuft of branches The local Nama community hold the half mens tree in high regard believing that the human like figure it assumes is their ancestors longing for the Namibian home 4 nbsp Map of the parkSee also edit nbsp Environment portal nbsp Africa portal nbsp South Africa portalReferences edit Ai Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park PeaceParks Org Retrieved 20 May 2009 a b c d e f AI AIS RICHTERSVELD Peace Parks Foundation Accessed 15 October 2018 Ai Ais Namibian Park Camps PDF www sanparks org Retrieved 19 November 2020 a b c d South African National Parks Accessed 15 October 2018 a b SA Places Accessed 15 October 2018External links edit nbsp Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ai Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ai Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park Official homepage at South African National Parks Ministry of Environment and Tourism Namibia homepage Christian Goltz 2010 ARTP National Park Visitor s Information Materials Map of the park Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title ǀAi ǀAis Richtersveld Transfrontier Park amp oldid 1146834246, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
